The Howard C. Reiche Community School is an elementary school in the West End of Portland, Maine. The school building was constructed in the 1970s and opened in 1973. It replaced the nearby Butler School, which had been in operation since 1879.
Serving 463 students in grades Prekindergarten-5, Howard C Reiche Community School ranks in the bottom 50% of all schools in Maine for overall test scores (math proficiency is bottom 50%, and reading proficiency is bottom 50%).
The percentage of students achieving proficiency in math is 60-64% (which is lower than the Maine state average of 82%). The percentage of students achieving proficiency in reading/language arts is 70-74% (which is lower than the Maine state average of 84%).
The student:teacher ratio of 12:1 is higher than the Maine state level of 11:1.
Minority enrollment is 70% of the student body (majority Black), which is higher than the Maine state average of 14% (majority Black and Hispanic).
Quick Stats (2025)
- Grades: Prekindergarten-5
- Enrollment: 463 students
- Student:Teacher Ratio: 12:1
- Minority Enrollment: 70%
- Overall Testing Rank: Bottom 50% in ME
- Math Proficiency: 60-64% (Btm 50%)
- Reading Proficiency: 70-74% (Btm 50%)
- Science Proficiency: 20-29% (Btm 50%)
- Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), ME Dept. of Education
Top Rankings
Howard C Reiche Community School ranks among the top 20% of public schools in Maine for:
Category
Attribute
Diversity
Percent Eligible For Free Lunch
School Overview
Howard C Reiche Community School's student population of 463 students has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
The teacher population of 40 teachers has grown by 17% over five school years.
Grades Offered
Grades Prekindergarten-5
(No virtual instruction)
(No virtual instruction)
Total Students
463 students
Gender %
Total Classroom Teachers
40 teachers
Year Founded
1973
School Rankings
Howard C Reiche Community School ranks within the bottom 50% of all 512 schools in Maine (based off of combined math and reading proficiency testing data).
The diversity score of Howard C Reiche Community School is 0.69, which is more than the diversity score at state average of 0.26. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five school years.
Overall Testing Rank
#480 out of 512 schools
(Bottom 50%)
(Bottom 50%)
Math Test Scores (% Proficient)
60-64%
82%
Reading/Language Arts Test Scores (% Proficient)
70-74%
84%
Science Test Scores (% Proficient)
20-29%
37%
Student : Teacher Ratio
12:1
11:1
American Indian
1%
1%
Asian
2%
1%
Hispanic
21%
3%
Black
42%
5%
White
30%
86%
Hawaiian
n/a
n/a
Two or more races
4%
4%
All Ethnic Groups
Participates in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Yes
Eligible for Free Lunch
48%
33%
Eligible for Reduced Lunch
23%
6%
School Statewide Testing
School District Name
Source: National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), ME Dept. of Education
Profile last updated: 02/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Howard C Reiche Community School's ranking?
Howard C Reiche Community School is ranked #480 out of 512 schools, which ranks it among the bottom 50% of public schools in Maine.
What schools are Howard C Reiche Community School often compared to?
Howard C Reiche Community Schoolis often viewed alongside schools like Presumpscot School, Gerald E Talbot Community School by visitors of our site.
What percent of students have achieved state testing proficiency in math and reading?
60-64% of students have achieved math proficiency (compared to the 82% ME state average), while 70-74% of students have achieved reading proficiency (compared to the 84% ME state average).
How many students attend Howard C Reiche Community School?
463 students attend Howard C Reiche Community School.
What is the racial composition of the student body?
42% of Howard C Reiche Community School students are Black, 30% of students are White, 21% of students are Hispanic, 4% of students are Two or more races, 2% of students are Asian, and 1% of students are American Indian.
What is the student:teacher ratio of Howard C Reiche Community School?
Howard C Reiche Community School has a student ration of 12:1, which is higher than the Maine state average of 11:1.
What grades does Howard C Reiche Community School offer ?
Howard C Reiche Community School offers enrollment in grades Prekindergarten-5 (No virtual instruction).
What school district is Howard C Reiche Community School part of?
Howard C Reiche Community School is part of Portland School District.
In what neighborhood is Howard C Reiche Community School located?
Howard C Reiche Community School is located in the West End neighborhood of Portland, ME.
School Reviews
Review Howard C Reiche Community School. Reviews should be a few sentences in length. Please include any comments on:
- Quality of academic programs, teachers, and facilities
- Availability of music, art, sports and other extracurricular activities
Recent Articles
Texas Schools: The Voucher/School Choice Debate
The issue of school choice and a voucher system is currently being revisited in Houston and across the state of Texas, with strong opinions on both sides of the debate.
Fuel Up to Play 60 Focuses on Integrating Fitness and Wellness into the School Day
What if NFL players came to your school? With the Fuel Up to Play 60 program, sponsored by the National Dairy Council and the NFL, nutrition and exercise are promoted during the school day. NFL players participate in the program by coming to schools and talking to students about fitness. Learn more about the program and some of the schools that are implementing it.
What Parents Need to Know About Lunch Shaming
Students all over the nation go hungry every day not because their schools don’t offer lunch, but because they refuse them to children with outstanding debts. Read on to learn about the horror that is lunch shaming and what can be done about it.
